Method and system of forming precast garden steps

ABSTRACT

A knock-down precast stairway, preferably for installation on sloping terrain, made up of precast tread and unique riser elements lending themselves to ridge-and-valley interrelation near the front edge, and an improved deeper set riser contributing to an overall more stabilized installation. The unique, substantially increased overall riser height is preferably approximately twice the finished riser height. It has an integrally formed tread-supporting shelf provided approximately midway the extreme top and bottom edges of each riser element so as to establish a finished step rise of approximately 7 or 8 inches which is normally comfortable. The tread-supporting shelf preferably extends across the full lateral width of the riser element. The riser portion contributing to the added overall height thereof resides in that portion which extends substantially below the tread level, and which lower extended portion is adapted to uniquely set in a preferably relatively fine crushed stone bedding or other suitably packed trench or trough below the natural terrain surface. The attendant unique installation provides a normally unyielding foundation of increased stability since the bottom edges of the respective riser elements are well below the natural sloping ground surface and are essentially permanently protected from wind and rain erosion as well as most frost upheavals. Any ground engageable portion of the top and bottom treads is also set upon a bed of finely crushed stone and/or packed coarse sand to better protect it against the aforesaid elements.

States Patent 1 1 3,845,598 Nov. 5, 1974 METHOD AND SYSTEM OF FORMINGPRECAST GARDEN STEPS John F. P. Tate, 2819 W. Hampton Ave. S.W.,Roanoke, Va. 24015 22 Filed: Feb. 15, 1974 21 Appl.No.:443,029

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 382,657, July 26,1973, Pat. No.

[76] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerJohn E. Murtagh Attorney, Agent, or FirmMason, Fenwick &Lawrence 5 7 ABSTRACT A knock-down precast stairway, preferably forinstallation o'n sloping terrain, made up of precast tread and uniqueriser elements lending themselves to ridge-andvalley interrelation nearthe front edge, and an improved deeper set riser contributing to anoverall more stabilized installation. The unique, substantiallyincreased overall riser height is preferably approximately twice thefinished riser height. It has an integrally formed tread-supportingshelf provided approximately midway the extreme top and bottom edges ofeach riser element so as to establish a finished step rise ofapproximately 7 or 8 inches which is normally comfortable. Thetread-supporting shelf preferably extends across the full lateral widthof the riser element. The riser portion contributing to the addedoverall height thereof resides in that portion which extendssubstantially below the tread level, and which lower extended portion isadapted to uniquely set in a preferably relatively fine crushed stonebedding or other suitably packed trench or trough below the naturalterrain surface. The attendant unique installation provides a normallyunyielding foundation of increased stability since the bottom edges ofthe respective riser elements are well below the natural sloping groundsurface and are essentially permanently protected from wind and rainerosion as well as most frost upheavals. Any ground engageable portionof the top and bottom treads is also set upon a bed of finely crushedstone and/or packed coarse sand to better protect it against theaforesaid elements.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures TOTAZ RISE a I up PMENIED 5 smrniur 2 FIG.3-

FIG. 2. -12" .26 DRY PACKING METHOD AND SYSTEM OF FORMING PRECAST GARDENSTEPS This is a division of application Ser. No. 382,657, filed July 26,1973, now Pat. No. 3,813,831.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improvedknock-down outdoor stairway made up of a plurality of precast tread andunique riser elements, preferably for garden or sloping hillside use,and which lend themselves to being prefabricated in a factory, stockedin supply houses with other building material inventory and easilytransportable in knockdown condition .to the ultimate hillsideinstallation site. The invention also relates to an improved method ofand overall system for installing the steps.

Heretofore there have been many different types of precast orprefabricated stair units adaptable for site installation, such as thosedisclosed in the following prior US. Pat. Nos. Osborn, 1,265,949;Gentile, l,756,35l; Nicols, l,86l,75l; Busby, l,964,660; Sitton,2,939,309; and Mclntire, 3,343,316. While the steps of these foregoingpatents provided a most useful service and generally satisfied therespective objectives stated therein, very few of them were readilyadaptable for hillside use where the riser and elements are settableessentially directly in or upon the natural terrain surface, and withoutuse of supporting stringers.

Heretofore, it has been the conventional practice in constructingstepways or stairways for ascending or descending sloping terrain toexcavate for and build forms for the pouring of concrete to form thestepway; also, it has been customary practice to form stepways frombricks or stones, all of which involve substantial costs of materialsand labor such as for bricklayers, stone masons, or other workmen. Suchstairs are normally of a permanent installation and formal appearanceand seldom blend with the surrounding landscape. When conventional, flatindividual steps are laid on the sloped terrain, they normally tend tosettle or slip, and after use become uneven and hazardous to the user,as well as unsightly in appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In place of the previous known precast and/orconventional more permanent stepways, my invention provides for makingprecast, preferably reenforced tread and riser elements from acementious masonry or synthetic resinous material, with improved riserelements of extra overall height, and being of a knockdown character.

The unique substantially increased overall riser height is preferablyapproximately twice the finished riser height. It has an integrallyformed treadsupporting shelf provided approximately midway the extremetop and bottom edges of each riser element so as to establish a finishedstep rise of approximately 7 or 8 inches which is normally comfortable.The treadsupporting shelf, preferably extends across the full lateralwidth of the riser element. The riser portion contributing to the addedoverall height thereof resides in that portion which extendssubstantially below the tread level, and which lower extended portion isadapted to uniquely set in a preferably relatively fine crushed stone orother suitable material in a trough below the natural terrain surface.Thus, the unique installation provides a normally unyielding foundationof increased stability since the bottom edges of the respective riserelements are well below the natural sloping ground surface and areessentially permanently protected from wind and rain erosion as well asmost frost upheavals. Any ground engageable portion of the top andbottom treads is also set upon a bed of finely crushed stone and/orpacked coarse sand to better protect it against the aforesaid elements.

While the riser element, with its preformed intermediate shelf tosupport the back edge of a tread element, is usually made in a fairlyuniform height dimension, the tread elements are made in a variety offront-torear sizes, or with custom ordered dimensional variations ofboth riser and tread elements to better adapt to sloping terrain havinga wide range of differing degrees of inclination, such as set forth in achart hereinafter.

My improved stepway also lends itself not only to improved and morestable installation and assembly, but also can be readily disassembledfor removal and/or relocation to another location or more preferred siteif so desired.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide animproved method of and step component apparatus for installingknockdown, precast stepways particularly upon terrain of varying slopeand usually between upper and lower relating level areas.

Another primary object is to provide an improved prefabricated step unitof the foregoing character which may be readily assembled anddisassembled.

Still another object is to provide simple and economically feasiblestepway or stairway components by which the risers and treads can bemade in separate simplified molds or forms which are conducive toprovide more accessible tamping and smoothing of the fresh mixedcementious or plastic material.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will become more evidentfrom the following more detailed description taken in conjunction withthe following illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevational view of anexemplary set of steps depicting a typical installation for a groundslope of approximately 45, or I to 1 ratio, with the terrain shown incross-section FIG. 2 is a view like FIG. 1 but depicting a typicalinstallation in which the slope of the terrain is approximately 34, orrepresentative of a 1 /2 to 1 ratio, and showing a modified form treadto riser interconnection;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the assembled steps of FIGS. 1 and2:

FIG. 4 is a side view showing my alignment and positioning system forproperly installing the precast, unique riser elements.

FIG, 5 is a front elevation of the system components depicted in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic figure of a typical hand rail preferred for usewith the steps;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of my novel precast riser element;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view showing one form of aridge and valley type of complemental mating of the forward portion ofthe tread and riser elements; and

FIG. 9 is a chart illustrative of the required relative sizes of theriser and tread elements for different sloping terrain expressed inratio form.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Like reference characters willdenote like parts in the several drawings. Referring in more detail tothe drawings, particularly FIGS. 1-3, the assembled steps as a whole aregenerally designated 10, and comprise a plurality of precast, generallyplanar, tread elements 12 and riser elements 14. As is relativelycustomary, suitable complemental ridge and valley means designated 16 inFIG. I are provided to interconnect the forward edge portion of thetread 12 with the upper edge of the riser 14. In FIG. 2, a differentdowell pin and recess hole means 18, such as an embedded pin and tubearrangement, is illustrated.

The riser element 14 is deemed to be unique in the combination of atread-supporting shelf 20, disposed to support the tread 12 at acomfortable step height form the next succeeding tread, and a lowerprojecting extension portion 22. Portion 22 is of substantial extent tocontribute to a riser having a substantially increased overall heightthan the riser elements of other precast or prefabricated step elementsamong prior art of which l am aware. While these riser elements aresusceptable to custom fabrication in varying dimensions of width andheight, the general proportion of these unique riser elements is suchthat the overall height thereof is approximately twice the dimension ofthe exposed finished step rise. While these relative dimensions mayvary, the riser element will have a lower body portion extending belowthe tread-supporting means a distance preferably at least approximatelyone-half of the distance between tread surfaces of successivelyinstalled tread elements. Inasmuch as customary rise heights are between7 inches and 8 inches in most installations, then deducting for thethickness of the tread element supported on the top edge of the riser,reduces the exposed riser height accordingly. In a preferred form thetread thickness of a precast concrete step may be as much as 2 incheswhereas for one fabricated of a synthetic resinous or other suitablematerial, including rot-resistant chemically treated wood, the thicknessmay be approximately I inch. Regardless of the tread thickness. theextra depth of the riser should be sufficient to extend well below thenatural surface of the terrain, with or without the use of a crushedstone foundation, so that for most geographical areas it will not benotably affected by frost upheavals, or normal surface erosion.

As illustrated, the risers 14 are installed so that the lower extensionis seated within a suitable depth trough-like excavation 24. In most allpreferred installations, the excavation is filled partially withrelatively small crushed stone 26 which when packed will not shift afterthe front and rear sides of the riser are further packed with morecrushed stone. The use of the crushed stone or similar dry aggregateprovides not only a stable and readily adjustable (during installation)base and packing, but also a drainage field to help dissippate anysurface water which may tend to collect thereat.

Due to both the sloping terrain and pervious nature of the embedment andpacking for the riser elements, very little water, if any at all. willcollect around the riser base. There maybe some terrain which isnaturally sandy or inherently more suitable to self-draining and inwhich the installation may be effected without the use of crushed stone.

In the FIG. 1 45 slope installation, the intermediate tread elementswill necessarily have a lesser tread dimension from front to back thanfor the more gentle slope depicted in FIG. 2. In the former, thefinished tread dimension may approximate 8 inches-l0 inches whereas isFIG. 2 it may approximate 12 inches-l4 inches, depending upon the taperor style of the nosing edge. The top tread in each of FIGS. 1 and 2 areprovided with a greater front-to-back dimension than those of theintermediate treads, so as to bridge onto stable terrain which is alsopreferably provided with a crushed stone bedding either with or withouta modifled riser cut off at tread level.

The tread and riser elements are preferably made with suitablestrength-reenforcing wires or mesh (not shown), particularly includingportions extending into the area of the shelf 20. The edges of theprecast members are preferably oppositely beveled to make more easilyremoved from the mold. Although there is shown a gap at the rearwardedge adjacent the riser, due to said bevel, it may be left open, orarbitrarily filled with a cement or caulking composition (not shown) asdesired. Even if water should collect and freeze in the bevel area, itwill not do any damage, since it would merely cam upwardly therefrom.

Because in the forms of FIGS. I and 2 the components remain essentiallythe same, and the basic difference resides in degree of slope, the samebut primed reference numerals have been used therein.

Referring to the ridge and valley (or tongue and groove) arrangement,shown in more detail in FIG. 8, the depth of the valley 15a ispreferably slightly greater than the height of the ridge 15b so as toassure stable load bearing of the front of the tread along the top edgeof the riser element 14.

PREFERRED METHOD OF INSTALLATION Installation begins with the siteselection, and establishing the location of a pair of upper horizontalworking points WP, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. These working points will bethen marked by a straight piece of approximately 1 inch X 4 incheslumber 28 spanning the proposed step width, and then nailed to suitablestakes 30, driven into the ground. or otherwise suitably anchored and/orclamped into position at laterally opposite sides of the chosen site.Similar working points WP are established at the bottom of the slopewhere the lower step will terminate, and in alignment with the workingpoints at the top of the slope. Reference characters WP, 28 and 30'designate these corresponding elements and measuring layout.Intermediate the upper stakes 30, there is preferably atread-establishing L- shaped jig member 31 suitably connected to thespanning member 28. The foot of the L, designated 32, corresponds toshelf 20 and is preferably used to better locate'the top tread, and fromwhich to project to locate the top edge of the riser member 14.

The difference between the top and bottom elevation is then carefullymeasured by use of a straight datum board 33 (FIG. 4), level and rule ortape measure. The total rise between the bottom and top sets of workingpoints is determined and, if necessary, slightly adjusted to accomodatedivision into multiples of approximately 7 inches to 8 inches, or towhatever the ultimately desired riser height might be. Next the totalhorizontal run is measured and divided by the number of risers,previously determined, to obtain the approximate front-to-back width ofeach tread. Reference to the chart exemplified in FIG. 9, will enable aselection from the several potentially available precast treads. Usingsuch a selected tread width, this figure is multiplied by the number ofrisers to give a final dimension for the total horizontal run. Theworking points then may be adjusted as necessary, and finally locatedwith the aid of the necessary tools such as plumb bob, spirit level anddatum plank.

The terrain in between the top and bottom working points is thensmoothed along the incline in conformance with the guide stringsstretchedtherebetween. Then by use of a relatively narrow spade,preferably about 6 inches wide, the excavations 24 are dug in theappropriately spaced areas, and to the predetermined depth to allowapproximately a 2 inches thick footing of crushed stone or like materialbeneath the bottommost edge of the riser. l'preferably use a unique andnovel riser-positioning jig designated generally at 34 in FIGS. 4 and 5.FIG. 34 comprises a wide flat board, such as a piece of plywood 36,which exceeds the frontto-back width of the desired tread. Attachedbeneath the board are two pair of angle members 38, spaced towardopposite sides of the steps. Each pair of members has the angle strapsthereof spaced apart to provide a slip-fit over the riser element. Themembers 38 are spaced at the desired requisite dimension from the datumedge 40, which edge initially is placed on the shelf 32 in alignmentwith the top working points WP.

Installation preferably commences with the top riser gauging off of theshelf 32 connected to the staked board 28. Its accurate elevation, andsquare alignment with the parallel guide strings, is as important as theaccurate positioning of all the other steps in the flight, since it willdetermine the elevation and alignment of the next lower riser. Thesetting of all the risers will proceed from top to bottom, eachsucceeding riser depending for its accurate positioning, on the accuracyof the preceding riser, using the positioning jig and spirit level,rubber tapping mallet, and other aids and tools as preferred. Placing ofthe tread slabs may be best deferred until all the riser slabs areinstalled and packed firmly and unyieldingly in place with the crushedstone.

of the front portion complementally seats in the valley 15a recessedinto the top edge of the riser slab. Alternately, as per FIG. 2, theinterconnection may be made by the dowel pin and recessed tubearrangement.

The foregoing unique and novel construction and manner of interlockingprovides a very stable and rigid step assembly. It is not preferred to'cement the tread and risers together at either the front or rearseating.

While it is believed that the two forms for slopes shown in FIGS. 1 and2 will fit many of the slopes encountered in actual practice, a tablehas been evolved,

6 as per FIG. 9, for which precast elements are to be produced to havein stock and available to cover nine different tread widths. These areintended for use with ristios between 1:1 and 3:l in progressive uniformintervals. Experience has shown thatmost selected sites can be graded ina three to four foot wide strip to conform to any of the chart-listedslopes and related tread and riser data.

My improved precast stairs as described herein are equally well suitedfor use in established residential areas, new housing developments,public parks, grounds of public and commercial buildings and many otherpotential locations. Installation of the precast relatively lightweightcomponents is achievable by one or two man crews without the need fortime-consuming costly forms, the latter of which are often poorlyerected. This avoids the messy and arduous process of pouring andfinishing concrete, or the like, at the sites, which are ofteninaccessible to large heavy concrete trucks.

By use of my improved step elements and method and system of installing,architecturally aesthetic superiority is gained over on site pouring ofconcrete, thereby assuring smooth and uniform factory finish, color andmaterial and workman quality. Additionally, these precast steps areaesthetically enhanced by the nosing projection of the treads, whichfeature is nearly invariably omitted in poured concrete steps due to thedifficulty in forming appropriate forms etc.

Accordingly, it is apparent that a novelly improved method, apparatusand system of installing my improved precast steps, which is rapidaccurate and neat, has been evolved which satisfies all of the basicobjectives and advantages set forth in the preamble and throughout thisapplication. Contemplated modifications include providing the bottomedge of the riser with an optionalwidened foot area; the riser and treadelements may have reduced thickness medial areas to reduce weight; andthe shelf 20 may be non-continuous in longitudinal length, such as aseries of spaced lug or bracket members, not shown.

While specific exemplary embodiments have been described and illustratedin some detail, still other variations and modifications may be made bythose skilled in the art without departing from the preceding inventivespirit and concepts, and reference should be made to the appended claimsfor the scope of the invention as defined therein.

I claim: 1. A method of installing a stair on inclined terrain from aplurality of precast tread and riser elements of which the riser elementis of an overall height between top and bottom edges approximately twicethe height of the assembled step rise, and is provided with integrallyformed tread-supporting means projecting transversally from said riser;said method including the steps of a. establishing working points at aproposed top and bottom of said stair; and determining the number oftread and riser elements required, and the run distances and dispositionbetween successiv riser elements j b. excavating the terrain at therespective positions of riser disposition on the inclined terrain, so asto form narrow trenches in which to embed the substantial lower bodyportions of the respective riser elements j c. placing the riserelements with the lower body portion in said excavations and refillingaround the lower body portions of said riser elements so as to stablyembed and properly position the risers in predetermined succession; and

d. assembling said tread elements in relation to said riser elements, sothat forward portions of said tread elements rest respectively on topedges of said riser elements, and rearward portions of said treadelements rest on said tread-supporting means of said riser elements.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, further including using crushedhard material including coarse sand, stone or gravel of predeterminedscreening size in said excavations to form a stable support for thelower-most edge of said riser elements, and further refilling saidexcavation on forward and rearward sides of said riser elements withsaid crushed material, whereby said crushed material additionallyprovides a drainage bed for any moisture which may collect therein, anda cushion means to protect against frost upheavals.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, further including the step of usingriser-positioning jig means to measure initially from the top workingpoints to progressively establish the riser elements at uniformlysuccessive intervals, and to successively measure from each establishedand installed riser progressively down the inclined terrain.

4. The method as defined in claim 2, further including the step of usingriser-positioning jig means to measure initially from the top workingpoints to progressively establish the riser elements at uniformlysuccessive intervals, and to successively measure from each establishedand installed riser progressively down the inclined terrain.

5. The method as defined in claim 1 which includes first installing allof said riser elements, and then assembling said tread elements ininterrelating relationship thereto.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step (a) includestemporarily establishing working guide lines or string members betweenthe top and bottom working points; using a straight-edged datum board toproject from said top and initial working points at laterally oppositesides of the stair; then measuring down therefrom the predetermineddistance to gage the establishment thereat of the top edge of anextsucceeding riser element; and using spirit level means to set saidnext riser thereat in a manner so that its top edge is essentially levelfrom one lateral side to the other.

7. A system for installing a precast stair of precast separate tread andriser elements on inclined terrain comprising in combination a. aplurality of interfitting precast tread and riser elements, of whichsaid tread elements each have forward and rearward portions at oppositesides of a tread body having a generally planar tread surface, and saidriser elements having top and bottom edges;

b. said riser elements each having a body of an overall height of atleast one and one half an exposed rise between successive treadelements, and having tread-supporting means connected therewith andprojecting transversely therefrom at a predetermined positionintermediate said top and bottom edges;

0. said riser element body below said treadsupporting means constitutinga lower body portion embeddable a substantial depth within said terrain;

d. a series of relatively narrow excavations of substantial depth toaccomodate and within which to embed a substantial extent of said lowerbody portions of said respective riser elements, said excavationsprovided in predetermined spaced relation up and down said inclinedterrain;

e. riser-positioning jig means for use in establishing said riserelements in uniformly predetermined spaced apart relation from aninitial starting working point and from successively installed riserelements; and

f. said jig means including a riser-leveling and measuring board memberwith bracket means connected thereto so as to depend from beneath saidboard member for engagement with the upper portion of a next riserelement to establish the run dis tance and tread height between a topedge of said succeeding riser element and said tread-supporting means ofa preceeding riser element working from the top to bottom of saidinclined terrain; whereby g. said tread and riser elements are removablyassembled in a neat, uniform and exceptionally stable manner.

8. A system as defined in claim 7, further including relatively hard,crushed material for footing and packing material within said narrowexcavations for compactly and stably embedding said lower portion ofsaid riser elements at a substantial distance below said slopingterrain.

9. A system as defined in claim 7, wherein said jig means furtherincludes a gauge member for establishing the height of a top stair treadmember, said gauge member being temporarily fixed between two laterallyopposed top working points at an upper end of the stair, said toptread-height-establishing gauge member including an L-shaped bracketdepending from a transverse temporary support member set across the saidworking points.

STATES PATENT OFFICE} v I' I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 45 59Dated November 5, 1974 Invent0r( John F. P, Tate It is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the front'page, beside data element number "[54]" and at column 1,line 1, the title should read -ME'I"HOD AND SYSTEM OF INSTALLINGPRECAS'I' GARDEN STEPS--;

On the front' page, beside data element [76] "W. Hampton" should readWesthampton" Signed and sealed this 14th day of January 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY GIBSUN JR,

0. MARSHALL DANN; Atteeting Officer Commissioner of Patents ORM PO-1050(10-69) USCOMM-DC 503764 69 U.S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I909O-S66-33l,

1. A method of installing a stair on inclined terrain from a pluralityof precast tread and riser elements of which the riser element is of anoverall height between top and bottom edges approximately twice theheight of the assembled step rise, and is provided with integrallyformed tread-supporting means projecting transversally from said riser;said method including the steps of a. establishing working points at aproposed top and bottom of said stair; and determining the number oftread and riser elements required, and the run distances and dispositionbetween successive riser elements b. excavating the terrain at therespective positions of riser disposition on the inclined terrain, so asto form narrow trenches in which to embed the substantial lower bodyportions of the respective riser elements c. placing the riser elementswith the lower body portion in said excavations and refilling around thelower body portions of said riser elements so as to stably embed andproperly position the risers in predetermined succession; and d.assembling said tread elements in relation to said riser elements, sothat forward portions of said tread elements rest respectively on topedges of said riser elements, and rearward portions of said treadelements rest on said tread-supporting means of said riser elements. 2.The method as defined in claim 1, further including using crushed hardmaterial including coarse sand, stone or gravel of predeterminedscreening size in said excavations to form a stable support for thelower-most edge of said riser elements, and further refilling saidexcavation on forward and rearward sides of said riser elements withsaid crushed material, whereby said crushed material additionallyprovides a drainage bed for any moisture which may collect therein, anda cushion means to protect against frost upheavals.
 3. The method asdefined in claim 1, further including the step of usingriser-positioning jig means to measure initially from the top workingpoints to progressively establish the riser elements at uniformlysuccessive intervals, and to successively measure from each establishedand installed riser progressively down the inclined terrain.
 4. Themethod as defined in claim 2, further including the step of usingriser-positioning jig means to measure initially from the top workingpoints to progressively establish the riser elements at uniformlysuccessive intervals, and to successively measure from each establishedand installed riser progressively down the inclined terrain.
 5. Themethod as defined in claim 1 whiCh includes first installing all of saidriser elements, and then assembling said tread elements in interrelatingrelationship thereto.
 6. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein thestep (a) includes temporarily establishing working guide lines or stringmembers between the top and bottom working points; using astraight-edged datum board to project from said top and initial workingpoints at laterally opposite sides of the stair; then measuring downtherefrom the predetermined distance to gage the establishment thereatof the top edge of a next-succeeding riser element; and using spiritlevel means to set said next riser thereat in a manner so that its topedge is essentially level from one lateral side to the other.
 7. Asystem for installing a precast stair of precast separate tread andriser elements on inclined terrain comprising in combination a. aplurality of interfitting precast tread and riser elements, of whichsaid tread elements each have forward and rearward portions at oppositesides of a tread body having a generally planar tread surface, and saidriser elements having top and bottom edges; b. said riser elements eachhaving a body of an overall height of at least one and one half anexposed rise between successive tread elements, and havingtread-supporting means connected therewith and projecting transverselytherefrom at a predetermined position intermediate said top and bottomedges; c. said riser element body below said tread-supporting meansconstituting a lower body portion embeddable a substantial depth withinsaid terrain; d. a series of relatively narrow excavations ofsubstantial depth to accomodate and within which to embed a substantialextent of said lower body portions of said respective riser elements,said excavations provided in predetermined spaced relation up and downsaid inclined terrain; e. riser-positioning jig means for use inestablishing said riser elements in uniformly predetermined spaced apartrelation from an initial starting working point and from successivelyinstalled riser elements; and f. said jig means including ariser-leveling and measuring board member with bracket means connectedthereto so as to depend from beneath said board member for engagementwith the upper portion of a next riser element to establish the rundistance and tread height between a top edge of said succeeding riserelement and said tread-supporting means of a preceeding riser elementworking from the top to bottom of said inclined terrain; whereby g. saidtread and riser elements are removably assembled in a neat, uniform andexceptionally stable manner.
 8. A system as defined in claim 7, furtherincluding relatively hard, crushed material for footing and packingmaterial within said narrow excavations for compactly and stablyembedding said lower portion of said riser elements at a substantialdistance below said sloping terrain.
 9. A system as defined in claim 7,wherein said jig means further includes a gauge member for establishingthe height of a top stair tread member, said gauge member beingtemporarily fixed between two laterally opposed top working points at anupper end of the stair, said top tread-height-establishing gauge memberincluding an L-shaped bracket depending from a transverse temporarysupport member set across the said working points.